I have only had this microwave for a few days, but already I adore it. Our built in GE Profile 36" wide microwave died after about 8 years. We needed a replacement quickly, because we use our microwave quite a bit. I ordered this one and got it within two days using next day shipping, which was ridiculously inexpensive compared to similar shipping from other companies. The first thing I noticed about this one compared with my old one is that the interior space, while much smaller, is used much more effectively. My old microwave was huge, but there were numerous "dead spots" inside. I could only place food in certain areas and expect it to get hot. Not so with this Panasonic. Also, the fact that there is no turntable means you need less space inside, because your plates and containers do not need to rotate. The heating element (concealed) rotates instead. So, even though we replaced a 1.8 cu. ft. microwave with this much smaller model, we have the SAME effective usable space inside. Which is pretty cool, as I was not sure it was going to do the job for us when I took it out of the box.
Also the wattage is interesting, as this model is supposedly a lower wattage than our old GE Profile. I've had to cut 2 minutes off of my estimated cooking time for everything because food heats much more evenly, hotter and faster in the Panasonic. I also am a bit concerned that we used the GE Profile for so long, because it used to disrupt WiFi within a 10 foot radius. The Panasonic only bothers WiFi within about a 2 foot radius. I can only guess that it is better shielded, which makes me a little concerned about the Profile hood model that operated within inches of my face while I cooked on the stove. So, I'm guessing the Panasonic is safer in addition to being more effective.
The sound it makes when food finishes heating is a bit strident. It is the only drawback, but it is LOUD, and we can hear it all over the house. It only beeps four times and then stops, which is nice. The old GE Profile model would continue nagging me every 30 seconds or so, which could be annoying when I fully realized the microwave had finished, but was in the middle of doing something else and couldn't immediately take care of the microwave.
The Panasonic controls took about a day to adapt to, simply because they were different than the ones on the old model. Spend 15 minutes experimenting and reading the manual, and you'll figure it out. They're very easy to learn, and the microwave supports custom programs. That's not something I plan to do, but other people might find it convenient if they miss a particular setting that was available on their old microwave.
I love that this one is so easy to clean. There are so few parts inside. Essentially, there's one thing you could remove (a guard over the air intake/vent thing) in case of a tragic spaghetti sauce explosion inside. But it's super simple to clean every nook and cranny. I appreciate the fact that there is no turntable to break or clean.
There is no timer on this, so if you just want to set a timer without cooking anything, you'll need to use something else. It's very functional looking, but I don't care about that. I prefer restaurant-grade equipment because it tends to be more durable. I don't need my kitchen to win a beauty contest. It isn't ugly, but it lacks any designer touches. Not sure what other people look for in appliances, but attractiveness is not high on my list.
Time will tell if this microwave lasts longer than the usual 18 to 24 months of most models available today. I will post back with updates, most likely if it fails. If there are no updates, you can assume that it's still trucking along...
| Brand Name | Panasonic |
|---|---|
| Model Info | NE-1025F |
| Item Weight | 34 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 16 x 13 inches |
| Item model number | NE-1025F |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Energy Use | 1000 Watts |
| Capacity | 0.8 Cubic Feet |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Part Number | NE-1025F |
| Special Features | Timer, Turntable |
| Color | Silver |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Wattage | 1000 watts |
| Door Hinges | Grab & Go Door Handle |
| Door Material Type | Stainless Steel |
| Material Type | Stainless Steel |
| Included Components | Microwave Oven |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Item Weight | 34 Pounds |
